Dustin feted in Paris as he drops in to promote new flick

27 FEBRUARY 2009He likes Europe, and it's clear Europe likes him. In Paris this week to promote his new flick, Dustin Hoffman was made an honorary commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters.

After receiving the medal, while his proud wife Lisa looked on, the double Oscar winner described the honour as "the best dream possible". Visibly moved by the experience, the 71-year-old made light of how affected he was by the ceremony, joking: "When you get to my age, you cry at the weather."

He had been in high spirits earlier in the day as he larked around with Emma Thompson at a photo call for their joint project, Last Chance Harvey. Emma was accompanied by nine-year-old Gaia Romilly – her daughter with actor Greg Wise.

In the film Dustin portrays a disgruntled jingle writer who suffers a mid-life crisis after his daughter opts to have her step-father rather than her real father give her away at her wedding. Having missed his flight back from the UK ceremony dad gets fired and ends up having a life-transforming encounter with Emma's character.